Are Social Connections at University Important for Academic Success?

 

When we think about university life, we usually think of classes, exams, parties, etc. However, there are lots of sides to university life, such as friendships. Social connections make university life more livable. Building strong relationships at university can actually boost our academic performance. In this blog, I will share my thoughts and experiences on the topic.

To illustrate, I can mention group studies. When there is an exam, students share their notes with each other and study together. This kind of collaboration not only helps with understanding the material better, but also improves academic performance. This makes students more successful in their academic careers. Personally, it is really useful in terms of passing classes and getting high scores.If someone has a social environment, that person feels more at ease, which in turn positively influences one’s academic performance. We may call it a ‘sense of belonging’. In fact, a research supports this idea. According to Tinto (1993), studemts who feel socially connected into university life are morw likely to succed academically and stay in school. Whereas those who feel isolated are more likely to drop out.

Another point is joining university social clubs and societies. You can usually get a certificate from these kinds of clubs at the end of the term. You can use these certificates in your curriculum vitae after graduation. At the same time, students can gain different skills while carrying out these activities, such as leadership, a sense of sharing, social interaction, and communication skills. These are the factors that contribute to one’s academic advancement.

Another thing is supporting each other emotionally. Peers give motivation not just for exams or presentations but also for our personal challenges. As an example, I went through an Erasmus exam and application process. There were moments when I felt a bit down — like the feeling that I might not achieve it. In those very moments, my peers supported me and motivated me to keep going. Eventually, that made me more passionate and courageous. This was a huge step for my academic career, thanks to my friends.

All of these elements have shaped and influenced my educational path.

To sum up, the social connections and friendships we build at university shape our educational paths in many ways. They help us succeed academically, grow personally, and make the most of our time at university.

Sources:

Tinto, V. (1993). Leaving College: Rethinking the Causes and Cures of Student Attrition (2nd ed.). University of Chicago Press.